Archives for September 2012

No. And it doesn't cause most of the ailments attributed to it by poorly-constructed observational studies in the past 20 years. This is old news but some health care professionals still test for vitamin D in the belief that many medical conditions are cause by its deficiency. In November 2010, the Institute of Medicine, one of the most prestigious and authoritative medical organizations, asserted that not only is this deficiency overestimated … [Read more...]

by Jessica Stoller-Conrad
The third season of the television show Downton Abbey premiered in the U.K. last weekend, and if you're a dedicated follower like me, you'll know that medical tragedy is no stranger to the Crowley household.
Spanish flu and a spinal injury shape the plot, and in one memorable scene John Bates, personal valet to Lord Grantham, uses a frighteningly painful metal contraption that he hopes will correct his debilitating … [Read more...]

By Chris Woolston, Special to the Los Angeles TimesJuly 14, 2012
Your family doctor doesn't work with a teleprompter. And there wasn't a live studio audience the last time you put on a hospital gown — thankfully. Television is great for sports, reality shows and reruns of "The Big Bang Theory," but if you're getting your health information from TV, you might not be as well-informed — or as healthy — as you could be.
One problem, says Dr. Steven … [Read more...]

By Dana Sullivan Kilroy (LA Times)September 15, 2012
Every couple of years a food or beverage is crowned with what nutrition experts call a "health halo." Some of the foods — wild salmon, blueberries, flax seeds — deserve it. But others gain status for no apparent reason. Acai berry, anyone? It's not that the trendy food is unhealthful. It's just that if you're already eating a well-balanced diet it's unnecessary. And possibly expensive. The … [Read more...]

By RONI CARYN RABIN
Amid fervid criticism that New York City risks becoming a nanny state, city health officials this month banned the sale of supersize sugar-laden drinks in restaurants and movie theaters. Now scientists have handed the ban’s advocates a potent weapon: strong evidence that replacing sugared drinks with sugar-free substitutes or water really can slow weight gain in … [Read more...]

Meet Dr. Eli Reshef

The other day, another physician asked me if I had to start all over again, would I still become a physician and would I still choose Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility as my sub-specialty. I answered with a resounding “yes”. I feel very fortunate to get up every morning looking forward to going to work. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to help people every day, that is every day, including weekends and holidays. Read More About Me Here-